FASHION WRAP: Get ready for party season

A more casual night still calls for some zest. Instead of a plain black trouser, try a brocade black jean. Jeans by Seven, $39, Winners. (ADRIEN VECZAN / Staff)

Photo

Eva Hoare

I DON’T KNOW about you, but I have been having a bit of trouble getting my sorry butt off the sofa to gussy up for the whirlwind of holiday soirees.

It all started a couple of Saturdays ago, when I was lucky enough to have a righteous gig to attend — tons of pretty trees, halls decked, with baubles everywhere!

I was a bit sluggish, though, nearly napping into my get-ready time. Ugh!

But once I did get my dress on I was able to get the party started, and after the glasses tinkled and the champagne flowed (Merci, Steph), all was more than right with the world.

Since then, I decided the real trouble resided with the fact that I wasn’t prepped for the party. I had just coasted into a black gown and didn’t even know which earrings I was wearing.

I was aghast at my lack of pre-party wear planning, but I’m not letting that happen again.

Yup, now I have practically every event getup decided upon well into the new year, and there’s a lovely list waiting should I forget which pretty party favour gets to sashay out the door when the festive cocktails call.

For fancier outings, there is the pretty little party dress. I happened upon a Ted Baker number at Wildflower that had just enough bling to bee bop around all night.

Luckily for moi, I already had a great little pair of silvery slingbacks (thanks John David Shoes) to accompany this sweet new cobalt-hued friend.

Then, it was time for some candy (arm, or otherwise; we crows always crave a little sparkle, after all). Oz hooked me up and I was sure to be streaming bling all night.

Top it all off with the simplest girly pleasure — a great lipstick to offset a smoky eye, with makeup maven Miss Vicky’s advice, and blessing, of course — and I was more than ready to roll.

For more casual dos, I am relying upon a brocade slim-cut trouser — very “in” this season — and a cute top. Most of us have a ton of tops, but need to kick it up with a new pant this year.

I’m shying away from bright brocade/combos, for fear they’ll be out before they’ve even been in, so I chose an embossed black on black from Seven, courtesy of Winners.

A little Banana Republic long-sleeved top I already snatched up at a recent BR sale, my black high suede boots — or you could pick a shootie or platform pump — and I was ready to match up my friend with a friend’s hot friend at the hors d’oeuvres table!

I’ve learned my lesson from several Christmases/holidays past, when I forgot to get to the tailor and ended up with safety pins holding my dresses up or in. I’m not going out unprepared ever again!

And by keeping the ensemble simple — dress, bling, shoes and a blush of lipstick — or cute top, tapered trousers and heels, it colours me happy and ready for the holidays.

But girlfriends, I have to confess I am guilty of holding back on one couch-potato friend trend — a sweet pair of comfy slippers sitting right by the sofa after the twinkle lights dim and the party’s over!